This entire thread was a great read, well could of left out the obvious post that weren't constructive as it doesn't help anyone but besides that a good read threw. I would like to touch on some very important things that I think get lost in the thread and something that "we" really should all care about.
Obvious mistakes were made no need to go over what was covered however what is important is and unfortunate is that Entropia is well losing yet another hunter. Someone who was making a "last attempt" and failed. The focus has been on his "last attempt" and while those
mistakes were in fact mistakes it doesn't change what is really important. Why do so many players get to this point? Why do so many players
"Feel" the way they do about how bad loot is or bland the game is? Why is it that this game can't grow? All very serious questions and of course the most important focus "we" as a community should have and MA should be focusing on.
The most important number on Entropia Life in regards to hunting isn't who is first, who globaled the most or who found the most rare items. It's how many active "Hunters" do we actually have today and has it consistently grown over the recent years. As of 2-2-19 it is 3,946 down of course from the events of around 4100. However when I joined and found out about this game for the first time in May 2016 that number well was about the same.
So the "BIG" question is why has MA failed at gamer retention? Why haven't these numbers gone up consistently to have real growth in the game which is needed. I personally think MA should do everything and anything to raise the active hunters to 8,000 and then 12,000 and then 20,000 and then 50,000. We should be improving not having new players never stick around or old players saying I had enough!
Of course some don't care about the "most important" numbers and why should they? This is a real cash economy first, video game 2nd and as long as someone's investment is fine their life is fine. It's after all human nature. I however like to take a birds eye view and look at the big picture without bias. I would love for this game to grow and it's why I have stuck around. I do in fact love the game and while it can urk me to no ends just like anyone else I see potential, I have met great people and sometimes I do have fun. Just hope MA realizes that potential and overall we can get many many more players and some day have every planet populated with 10,000's of players. Again this would create then competition and well some players that are having success might not like having tons of new players or massive competition in events.
For some perspective on who I am in case people are searching for if anything I say is relevant since I joined in May of 2016 I have accumulated some massive skills doing "everything" and have well over 250 HP and was happy to get tough and many unlocks in my adventures in what you would consider a newer avatar.
With that said I have felt like Rick does and no one again has the right to tell another player or anyone in life how they "should" feel. The reason players
develop crazy theories on loot, statistics and everything else is because well it looks that way.
If players feel like it's unfair "regardless" of if it is or not that is a failure in MA and the games development. Especially players that have been around and skilled like crazy. Rick isn't the only one there have been 1,000s and they no longer play either which is again unfortunate.
Let me tell you my hunting journey and why I personally felt like Rick has in some ways. The only reason I have lasted and keep playing though is well hunting is just one aspect of the game and happen to be fortunate I find fun in multi skilling professions. Also "I got lucky" more on whether that was luck or not latter.
I recorded my first hunting HOF at level 51 sword. Your eyes aren't deceiving you! Yes I killed 100,000's of mobs and never got a HOF until level 51 in hunting. I wasn't hunting chirpies either. I completed plenty of mission chains that could of given me my first HOF way way sooner. Bronze Kerb, Argo, Bronze Merp, Hadraada, Bokol and many stages of Atrox, Ambu etc etc... My first HOF was a 369 Ped Teladon on Ark and I probably would of never made it that far if for many things.
However I was supremely disappointed in my goal in the game of grinding missions and getting all the unlocks.
To say I "felt bad" while hunting was an understatement. I had reached that point that no player should in their gaming experience. I no matter what back then could not get a HOF and it felt like why can't I enjoy the game or have fun like other players hunting? Like anyone I started talking to MA out of curiosity on how can I change this? I am stubborn.
As a gamer I told them that regardless of the algorithm this statistically should never happen. I said if this is happening to other players then there is "Zero" reason for them to continue on or stay. They obviously would quit. They insured me that well it's really unfortunate that despite hunting a lot and grinding that you haven't recorded a HOF yet. I had just unlocked coolness at the time and I pushed on to lvl 44 sword and said I had enough. I can't keep going on it just isn't fun I can do other things. I also let MA know that I still continue to not get what "I feel" is correct in the gaming experience. I began going hardcore into my Harvesting and other things I enjoy then the Christmas 2016 boxes were released on the web shop.
I wasn't depositing I had stopped but I thought to myself I would like to buy 5 Christmas boxes.
The very first box of my 5 boxes I bought was the 2016 Christmas ring. Finally!!! It was the most exciting experience in the game and finally I felt like despite everything that happened I had actually won.
Conspiracy theory time- the odds of me getting the Christmas ring on the very first box I have ever bought and only buying 5 boxes is astronomical. Regardless of what people say and regardless of whether it happens or not.
I like to think that MA was watching and said we are sorry and gave me that ring. You can make some pretty compelling points on whether that happens or doesn't and in my case. I at least like to think they were thinking that you know what this guy makes some good points here is your reward we hope you stick around. Guess what? I did. The fact is I am sure the algorithm at least isn't perfect and in fact does give some players the raw end of the deal. I think MA should look out for this.
There should be "Bad Loot Protection" and if MA has for some reason never planted an item for someone They should start.
Obviously I continued on playing hunting and skilling grinding all over Entropia still to this date. I take some breaks to play other games and compete but I look back and think if I didn't get that ring would have I continued on? Would one of my breaks been the last? It's possible. As a gamer Entropia has a lot of competition.
Long story short a lot has changed even since I joined in 2016. Loot 2.0, efficiency, looter. However one thing that hasn't changed is how stagnant hunting is and how cruel it can be for a lot of people. I really feel bad that many of us get to "the last attempt" like Rick has. I really feel that MA and the Devs have missed the mark if players reach that point. I really hope a lot continues to change this year and that we lose less and gain a lot more players. Anyways wanted to chime in and thought maybe I would tell a fun lil story as well
I wish everyone luck and hope we all can have and even better game to play tomorrow.
If you read all this thanks and have a great year.
Abomb